political perspectives from Joni Hudson-Reynolds, an African-American Mom

What do we expect from the police?

We hire the police to serve and protect. What do want them to do? The latest police shooting in LA puts the police front and center in the midst of controversy. The police say the man “African” was reaching for one of the policeman’s weapon, and the police killed him. Who is at fault here? We also have to ask when did it become acceptable to fight with the police? Policeman want to go home at the end of the day and they will subdue any threat to that outcome Does this mean every time a policeman shoots he is justified? No, but we have to look at the facts of each case before we indict either party.

Comments

I watched that video. Looked a bit confusing to me, but from what I could see, there were six cops and one man on the ground (and another guy to the side being subdued and out of the fray). I heard they were wearing body cameras, so maybe there are better visuals, but with the limited knowledge we have, I think it’s valid to ask why, if the man is on the ground, and reaches his hand towards a belt with a gun, the appropriate response is to back up, pull that gun and shoot him….5 times.

There is one common element in most of these tragic encounters with the police, resisting arrest. I challenge anyone to find a police officer who will tell you that their mind was changed about attempting to arrest a suspect because the suspect resisted being arrested. Whatever the outcome in that battle is, the suspect will ultimately lose.There can be legitimate debate about whether or not an arrest is legal or fair but the place to adjudicate that is in the courtroom. The refusal to submit to arrest by so many is really symptomatic of a lack of respect for authority which often leads to the delinquent behavior.